Kate Gets Bridal
By
Ann Marie Fox
Copyright © 2011 by Ann Marie Fox. All rights reserved.
Chapter 1
Kate Harrington glanced at her watch.
Shiloh has five minutes to get here, or she’s going to lose this sale.
“I’m so sorry,” she apologized to the blonde haired, blue eyed couple in front of her. “It’s unusual for my cake vendor to come here on such short notice.”
Everything about this wedding has been on short notice, Kate thought. Two months total to plan a wedding, and all the vendors have to agree to meet the couple here? Insane.
“You know we’re both very busy, and we just can’t spend our time chasing bakers in Westchester,” the bride said with a smile. “Or waiting for them. You understand?”
Kate understood that she wanted to put her foot up their—
“This must be Graham and Sylvia? I’m Shiloh Parker from Sugar and Shiloh. Lovely to meet you both.” Shiloh entered the room and extended her hand to the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Graham Jones. Shiloh was wearing the same red pants suit that she wore to work the day before, and Kate knew that she’d have to grill her friend for details later.
“I was just telling them about your excellent chocolate mousse filling and vanilla raspberry swirl cake combination. Definitely worth the wait.” Kate raised an eyebrow towards Shiloh, and she took the lead.
“My sincere apologies for the delay, I was giving everything one final look before it was ready for you. My assistant is putting together some special plates, including the to-die-for vanilla raspberry swirl sample, and we’ll get the tasting started. In the meantime, why don’t you tell me what kind of cake you envision?” Shiloh sat on the pink striped chair across from Graham and Sylvia, and pulled her sketchpad from her bag.
Sylvia’s face relaxed, and Kate knew that Shiloh had won the business.
What started out as a dress boutique had quickly flourished into a thriving wedding planning company. Kate and her coordinators at Kate Gets Bridal plan over a hundred weddings a year, most in the New York City and tri-state area, but she’d also travelled the world -- Vegas, London, Paris -- for her brides. Despite, or maybe because of, the amount of time Kate spent planning the weddings of others, she had absolutely no interest in planning one for herself.
Not that she’d ever been asked.
Shiloh’s assistant walked in with a tray of four plates, each with three slivers of cake, and forks.
Kate’s breath caught for just a second. This new assistant was nothing like the sour-faced Matilda, who always vaguely smelled of cheap shampoo and garlic. Matilda was one of the first employees Shiloh had ever hired, and though she was generally unfriendly, she was also a whiz with administrative tasks. Ordering, managing Shiloh’s calendar, fixing last minute problems without much direction. This was a welcome change though, too – a six foot, dark-haired, athletic young man. She turned her head back to her Shiloh, lest she get flustered in front of the clients.
Get a grip, you’ve seen plenty of hot guys before!
“Thank you, Chris,” Shiloh said as she handed the first plate of cake to Sylvia.
Always feed the bride first.
This was one of the first facts of the bridal business that Shiloh and Kate had added to their unofficial guide to surviving weddings. That fact, and most of the others, were written over late night cocktails and day old cake.
Graham and Sylvia debated the merits of chocolate versus lemon, butter cream filling versus a layer of pureed raspberries, and frosting versus fondant. Shiloh expertly steered Graham and Sylvia towards the least technically difficult, but still gorgeous, cake design.
The future Mr. and Mrs. left in a flurry of hugs and air kisses, and Chris picked up the dirty plates and tableware as soon as they were gone. Shiloh and Kate went back to her office while Chris and Rachelle, Kate’s assistant, packaged up the untouched cookie sampler in Sugar and Shiloh bags.
“No Matilda today?” Kate asked as she closed the door to her office.
Shiloh plopped herself in one of Kate’s plush office chairs and slipped off her heels. “Matilda moved South to be closer to her family. I told you she was leaving, didn’t I? It happened pretty quick. Mom got sick and all that. You miss her already, even with her much improved replacement?”
“I’m sure you hired him for his organizational skills,” Kate said.
“Well, he’s not really an assistant. He’s a baker, makes fabulous cake. He’s only helping out while I find someone new.”
Kate thought about his broad shoulders and shaggy dark hair. She felt her face start to flush, it was time for a subject change.
“You’re still coming tonight though, right? You aren’t swamped in the baker – I mean, baking?”
Shiloh gathered her bag and popped her shoes back on. “I’m only doing this for you, you know.”
“I seriously owe you one,” Kate replied. “Now go get glammed up. We may be working the event, but it’s a Jack and Jill party. Maybe you can snag yourself a groomsman.”
“Honey,” Shiloh said, “if Graham’s friends are anything like him, I don’t think I’m interested. Frosting instead of fondant? Has he ever even been to a wedding?”
“Probably not, so at least you know his friends are single. Now go. I’ll see you around ten. Oh, and change your suit!”
Chapter 2
“It’s too bright in here,” called a voice from Kate’s living room.
Kate dropped her work bag and unzipped her boots. “Turn down the dimmer switch then.”
“You have too many lights!”
Some days, I have one too many houseguests.
Kate walked over to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. One yogurt, a head of slightly browning lettuce and a Healthy Weight meal in the freezer. She took out the frozen meal and noticed her shopping list from this morning still sitting on the counter.
“I thought you were going to go shopping today?” Kate asked.
“I was,” came the unapologetic reply. Kate’s sister, Erin, shuffled into the kitchen. “But then I got so wrapped up in work. Did you know that you can buy a franchise for as little as forty thousand dollars? I was thinking that once my divorce was final and maybe with some help from my big sister…”
“Erin, I know you’re not about to ask me for forty thousand dollars.” Especially when you can’t even do the one thing I ask of you this week.
“I’m not. I mean, once Derrick finally pays me my half of the house and shit then I’m sure I’ll only need a couple thousand.”
Kate withheld the urge to point out that if Erin was really interested in making some money, then she could come in and help with the insane amount of paperwork and filing that needed to be done at Kate Gets Bridal. But Kate knew that, not only would Erin be “too busy” for anything of that sort, but that working with her little sister was sure to be more of a hindrance than a help.
She loved that she could help out her sister, especially when she was starting her life from scratch. But there were nights, like tonight, that she almost wished her sister had just sucked up her miserable marriage for just a few more months until she actually had a plan to leave. Perhaps something thought out a little further than, “To hell with him, I’m staying with you,” which is what had greeted her on the doorstep six months ago.
“We don’t have to talk about this now,” Erin said. “I’m not even sure what kind of franchise I want to buy yet.”
“Uh huh. Well don’t sign anything while I’m out. Seriously.”
Kate ran her hand through her long, brunette hair one last time before ringing Shiloh’s doorbell. Kate’s assistant, a twenty-three year old blonde named Rachelle, waited in the car with the d
river.
Kate felt her stomach jump a bit, even though she knew that she was only picking up Shiloh.
Just nerves about the Jack and Jill, that’s all.
Shiloh opened the door mid-tumble – her shoes half way on her feet and half her head still in need of a blow dry.
“Seriously, Shiloh?” Kate asked. She caught herself peeking behind Shiloh to see if anybody else was at home. Her living room was empty.
“Relax, relax, I’m just going to sweep everything up. I just need five minutes. You wouldn’t believe the mess I came back to at the bakery. I swear, one half-foul smelling Matilda leaves and the whole world falls apart.”
“You don’t know what you’ve got, till it’s gone,” Kate sang as she walked in. She sat in the middle of Shiloh’s living room while Shiloh ran upstairs to finish getting dressed. Shiloh, as usual, looked fabulous. A sparkly shift dress, a pair of stilettos and, hopefully soon, a tussled up do and slightly dramatic eye make-up. Kate was less flashy. Her tight red dressed showed off her curves, but the matte color made Kate feel like she was straddling the line between guest and hostess.
They weren’t officially hosting, but the maid of honor and best man had little interest in putting together the type of soiree that Sylvia expected. Kate felt as if she was a double agent, passing on suggestions to the bridal party from Sylvia, and tying up all the other loose ends that the bridal party neglected.
I really don’t know why I didn’t hand this off to one of my other coordinators. This wedding has turned into a much bigger hassle than it’s worth.
Shiloh ran downstairs, heels on and bag dangling from her wrist. “Let’s go, chica! It’s at least forty minutes from Middleton to midtown!”
Kate gave Rachelle a last minute list of instructions as they walked into The House, one of the hottest clubs in Manhattan.
“Make sure that Sylvia and Graham are not handed the bill, it should go to the best man. His name is Jacob. Make sure everyone’s glasses are full, but slow down everyone towards the end of the night. Make sure Sylvia and Graham are having a great time. Make sure Sylvia’s friend Casey is not allowed more than three drinks, she tends to get belligerent. Make sure Graham’s cousin Todd isn’t hitting on any of the bridesmaids, he can’t tell when women aren’t interested. That should be it.”
“So our job is to babysit the bridal party and make sure that nobody upsets the bride and groom, basically?” Rachelle asked. She put her pad and paper back in her purse.
“Yes.”
Rachelle pulled on her high ponytail to tighten it. “Alright. I’ll find the waitress for their table and make sure she comes to us if there’s a problem.”
Shiloh scanned the crowd of well dressed men and women, while Kate ran over to Sylvia and Graham.
“Congratulations! Happy Jack and Jill!” Kate gave Sylvia a hug and smiled at Graham. “Do you two need anything?”
Sylvia patted the cushion booth next to her. “I was thinking we could talk about the seating chart—“
“No, no. This is a party. You need a cocktail, a bite to eat and a good dancing song. No planning at all tonight.”
Sylvia’s mouth was open, and Kate was tempted to pop a torte right in it to keep her from talking about seating. A tall, blonde haired, green eyed man approached her.
“I’m Jacob, you must be the wedding planner?” he asked as he held out his hand.
“Kate Harrington, yes.”
“I’m the best man. Second best if you include Graham.” Jacob smiled, and Kate got off the bench to get a bit closer.
“Well, second best man, we need to get this party started. Sylvia is talking about seating charts and that is completely unacceptable. What do you suggest?”
She could smell the deep musk of his cologne, and had to restrain the urge to bury her nose in his neck. Maybe it was the red dress, or maybe it was Jacob’s brilliant green eyes, but Kate was definitely flirting.
“Beyoncé?”
“What?” Kate asked. Beyoncé? What straight man immediately thinks of Beyoncé?
“Sylvia was dancing to Beyoncé – on a table, I think – when Graham first saw her.”
Kate looked over at her prim and proper bride. Sylvia’s ankles were crossed, her hand was daintily wrapped around the stem of a cosmo glass, and her make-up was straight off the runway – not straight out of a strip mall.
“This Sylvia? On a table?”
“Oh, yeah,” Jacob said. “She was a lot wilder then.”
“Apparently so.”
Jacob flagged down the waitress and ordered another bottle, while Kate took another look at Sylvia. Shiloh on the table – yes. Herself on the table – she can’t say it never happened. But Sylvia?
She was about to lean back into Jacob (after all, the club is loud and crowded…) when Rachelle came up behind her and touched her arm.
“Kate, we have a problem.”
Kate was squatting on the sidewalk, next to a very, very drunk maid of honor.
“Ma’am, I’m going to need you to move her from the front of the building.” The bouncer looked down at Kate and Mary. Mary had vomit down the front of her dress and shoes, some in her hair and somehow, some on her back.
“I just… I just… I just…. She can’t marry him!” slurred Mary. She retched again on the sidewalk, and Kate took her cell out of her purse to text Shiloh.
911. Where are you?
Rachelle was assigned to keep Sylvia occupied, while Kate intended to clean up the MOH and bring her back inside. It took everything she had to prevent Mary from curling up on the sidewalk for a nap. There was no way Mary was going to be allowed anywhere near the club.
“She can’t… she ca- ca-,” Mary retched again between tears.
“She’ll always be your best friend,” Kate said, patting Mary’s back. Speaking of, where the hell is my best friend? I need back-up!
Mary hiccupped and cried even harder. “That’s… the .. prob…. lem,” she slurred. “I… love… Graham!”
Oh shit.
Kate called the car service, just as Jacob walked up behind her. “Sylvia’s asking about Mary, she okay?”
“Honestly, no. I need to get her home, would you tell Sylvia I’ll be right back?”
“Are you sure you don’t want some help?” Jacob looked at Mary, as she wrapped herself around a “No Parking” sign.
“Help me carry her into the car?” Kate asked as her driver pulled up. Mary put her arms around Jacob. “Shanks,” she said.
“Anytime.” Jacob smiled over Mary, towards Kate.
Let’s hope this particular situation is only one-time. This can’t happen at the wedding.
Chapter 3
Kate and Jacob carried Mary up the stairs into her apartment. Mary alternated between crying, snoring, and professing her love for the groom.
In short, she was a total disaster.
After being assured by the driver that the backseat had been cleaned up, Kate and Jacob climbed back into the car for the return trip.
Kate rested her hand on the seat between them, and watched as Jacob placed his hand next to, but not on, hers.
“So what was that?” she asked, curious if there was more to the story than even the drunken Mary had let on.
Jacob sighed. “Graham’s not that special. The only man she wants is the one that’s already committed to someone else.”
“At least then you know he wants to commit,” Kate joked. Though, of course, you’d never be the winner that way.
“Am I sitting in the car with another Mary, albeit a sober one?” Jacob feigned shock, putting his hand to his heart. Kate felt a twinge of disappointment as he put his hand back in his lap instead of next to hers on the seat.
“No, no.” Kate smiled. “I would have been able to hold my liquor better.” She turned her head to the window as they flew down the West Side Highway. Only a few more blocks before they were back at the Jack and Jill party.
She turned back to Jacob. “This is a terrible party, is
n’t it?”
“I’m not having a bad time,” he said. Kate turned her eyebrows up. Liar.
“Well, I’m not having a bad time outside of the party.”
“You must not get out much then, if avoiding puke is a good time.”
The car pulled back up in front of The House and Kate took a deep breath before re-entering. She hadn’t heard anything from Shiloh or Rachelle, but she was sure that if anything was going terribly wrong, they’d go outside for reception and call her.
“Well thanks for your help, Jacob,” Kate said as she exited the limo. She needed to get back into the game. The party was a disaster, and she’d been getting nervous and blushy in front of every remotely attractive guy that she’d come across. Ridiculous.
You are a thirty-four year old business owner. Not a teenager. Pull it together!
“Thank God you’re back!” Rachelle ran up to Kate. “Sylvia wants her Maid of Honor, Graham is bored with the weepy Sylvia and I just can’t take the bullet for the bridesmaids anymore. Todd just won’t go away, even though I’ve told him that I have a boyfriend, and that I expect him to be a fiancé soon, and--”
“Where’s Shiloh?” Kate interrupted.
“I haven’t seen her. But this party is tanking quicker than Casey, who is at least four drinks past her three drink limit.”
Another emotional, puking bridesmaid. Perfect.
Kate looked over to the table, and saw a weeping Sylvia leaning against a very stone-faced Graham. Todd had made his way over to Casey, and somebody was already going hot and heavy in the corner with one of the other groomsmen.
At least somebody’s having fun.
Kate looked at her watch. It was only eleven thirty. If they left now, Sylvia and Graham wouldn’t have one good memory from the Jack and Jill, and she’d hear all about what a waste of time it was and how it all has to be redone the next day.
“Okay, we need to create one great moment, and then we need to get the hell out!”
Kate Gets Bridal Page 1
